We’re Still Not Talking About Health Care’s ‘Elephant in the Room’
One expert warns that providers’ growing market power is a looming problem in health care — and the Affordable Care Act has only made it worse.
Why Maryland — Not California — Pulled Off the ‘Boldest Proposal’ in Health Care
The Old Line State is trying something new: Maryland’s hospitals have moved away from fee-for-service and embraced global budgets. And the early returns are promising.
Can Drug Companies Survive Their Martin Shkreli Moment?
The pharmaceutical industry has been under scrutiny for the past month, after one executive’s decision to hike the price of a drug by more than 5,000% overnight attracted the attention of presidential candidates.
Why California Put the Brakes on a Hospital Merger — and What it Means
A proposed $843 million California hospital merger ended in acrimony, accusations and even a lawsuit. What went wrong, and what does it mean for hospital mergers?
What the Anthem-Cigna Mega-Merger Could Mean for California
Anthem plans to buy Cigna, and their merger would create a new top player in California’s insurance market. But how much will it actually shake up California?
Oscar Wants To ‘Revolutionize’ Health Care. But Will It Even Survive Covered California?
Oscar, the buzzed-about health insurance startup, will join Covered California this year. Can it deliver on its hype, or will it get lost in the crowd?
The Curious Case of Health Care’s Merger Mania — Is Obamacare To Blame?
The health care industry appears poised to undergo a new wave of consolidation, and some observers are blaming Obamacare. Has the law really created an environment ripe for mergers?
Why California’s ACOs Could Become a Model for the Nation
Organizations experimenting with the much-hyped accountable care organization model are starting to report uneven results. Could California’s pilot programs turn into a national model — even as Medicare’s flagship ACO program shows signs of weakness?
Inside the Ambitious (And Affordable) Plan To Bring ‘Health Care For All’ to California
Some lawmakers and advocates are arguing that it’s time to expand health coverage to California’s undocumented immigrants. And they say that this year, the numbers are on their side.
Blue Shield Lost Its Tax Exemption Last Year. Who’s Next?
After 75 years, Blue Shield of California is tax-exempt no more. With a slew of bills and audits underway across the nation, experts say to expect further scrutiny of not-for-profit insurers and hospitals — and possibly, a wave of other health care organizations losing tax-exempt status, too.